Cordless switchboard telecommunication exchange



March 31, 1953 E. P. GhwRlGHT 2,633,500

CORDLESS SWITCHBOARD TELECOMMUNICATION EXCHANGE Original Filed Aug. 6,1947 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 TICKET- l/VG STORAGE MECHANISM K/ [(2 K3 K4 FIG.7.

INVENTOR. [we/v0 P/l/L/P aoooww .WAIGHT ATTORNEY March 31, 1953 E. P. G.WRIGHT CORDLESS SWITCHBOARD TELECOMMUNICATION EXCHANGE Original FiledAug. 6, 1947 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 3.

FIG. 6.

INVENTOR.

5MOND P/l/L/F GOODW/N [MP/6H7 March 31, 1953 E. P. G. WRIGHT 2,633,500

CORDLESS SWITCHBOARD TELECOMMUNICATION EXCHANGE Original Filed Aug. 6,1947 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 5.

Hm! flme Hm: flmd ssbl ms (FIG. 6-)

I N VEN TOR.

$MOND PHIL/P 6000"? WRIGHT Bmw 2,

ATTORNEY Y a Sheets-Sheet s l mfmi FIG. 8;

E. P. G. WRIGHT CORDLESS SWITCHBOARD TELECOMMUNICATION EXCHANGE OriginalFiled Aug. 6, 1947 March 31, 1953 m u M 343i a n 2 m a ml n u H n rHillML R m r m Hm u I? b AY 5 N m n A March 31, 1953 E. P. e. WRIGHT2,633,500

CORDLESS SWITCHBOARD TELECOMMUNICATION EXCHANGE Original Filed Aug. 6,1947 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 FIG. I0.

INVENTOR.

5M0/V0 PHIL/P GOODW/A/ W/P/G/ll' ,4 TTOR/VE y Patented Mar. 31, 1953CORDLESS SWITCHBOARD TELECOMMUNI- CATION EXCHANGE Esmond Philip GoodwinWright, London, England, assignor to International Standard ElectricCorporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Originalapplication August 6, 1947, Serial No. 766,634. Divided and thisapplication August 6, 1947, Serial No. 766,635. In Great Britain April3, 1947 13 Claims. 1

This invention relates to cordless operators switchboards and totelecommunication exchanges incorporating such switchboards. The objectof the invention is to provide improved flexibility of handling of callson operators switchboards.

The main feature of the invention comprises a cordless operatorsswitchboard or section thereof for a telecommunication exchangecomprising a number of positions in which means are provided with meansfor visually offering a call of a particular character betweenoperators. My copending U. S. application Serial No. 766,634 filedAugust 6, 1947 entitled Telecommunication Switching System, of whichthis application is a divisional, contains claims directed to thetelecommunication exchange hereinafter disclosed.

The invention will be clearly understood from the following descriptionof one embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic of connecting circuits and associated operatorscircuits at an international telephone exchange.

Fig. 2 shows the relation to one another of the detailed circuits shownin Figs. 3-10 and the use madeof switch Fl for connecting together thesefigures or different parts thereof, all of which with the exception ofFig. 8 form part of either or both of the circuits OP and SG, Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows a talking connection circuit in SG associated via switch Flwith operators cordless positions OP I, P2.

Fig. 4 shows an operator's digit key set and associated equipment fortransmitting digits on a V. F. (voice frequency) code basis.

Fig. 5 shows called-number storage equipment forming part of SG. Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 shows calling number storage equipment forming part of SG. Fig.1.

. Fig. 7 shows a (language) transfer key set at the operators positionand transfer storage equipment in SG, Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 shows a (language) transfer control circuit associated with Fig.7. N

facilities for the long distance operator to carry out the necessaryoperations with the least delay.

It has long been the practice for the long distance operator to write ona ticket the details of each call.

This procedure has been valuable both for the calculation of the fee tobe charged and the posting of the charge against the subscribersaccount. In addition the ticket has provided a useful means of storingthe information when a call is delayed on account of congestion.

On the other hand the use of such tickets involves a considerable amountof clerical labour and tends to slow up the essential work of the longdistance operator.

- It is known to provide means for automatically recording theinformation regarding a connection which an operatorwould normally writeon a ticket, but the provision of such means in semiautomatic workingwould leave the operator without any record of the particulars of theconnection.

It is now proposed to give an operator an indication of particulars of aconnection such as the numbers of the called and calling parties to aconnection and of the number of digits of a called partys number whichhave been transmitted over a long-distance line in setting up aconnection.

Other information such as the chargeable time which has elapsed couldalso be indicated to the operator.

According to normal practicea long distance operators position will notbe restricted to a single call and once the operator is satisfied thatthe calling party has been correctly connected she is free to undertakethe establishment of a second connection. It should be understoodtherefore that the operator has the possibility of disassociating hertelephone set from a connection which she has set up, and that she canalso disassociate her indicating apparatus in preparation for thehandling of a subsequent connection. Means may also be provided wherebythe relevant indications of a previous connection can be again displayedif the operator wishes to have access to this information.

In certain long distance calls and more particularly on internationalcalls a degree of complexity in the operating is introduced by languagedifferences. Generally speaking international calls rely on one or otherof a few languages which are understood by most international operators,but if international calls are established on a semiautomatic basis theanswer may be ex- 3 pressed in many languages or dialects and for thisreason it is desirable that the originating operator should havefacilities for obtaining assistance rapidly either from another operatorin the same exchange or from an operator at the distant end of theconnection.

It is proposed that by means of a simple key operation it will bepossible for any operator to! invite the assistance of a second operatorin the same line or switchboards indicating at the same time thelanguage in which assistance was required. If such an operator acceptsthe invita tion her position will become coupled with the connection andthe indications of the call will become displayed on the reliefoperators position so that she is in a condition to take over thesupervision of the call from the operator who originally set up thecall. If and when this condition is determined upon materially theformer operator can withdraw and disassociate her position from theconnection.

This transfer feature may also be valuable for other purposes such asthe handling of delay traffic on cordless type switchboards.

If congestion on a particular route is experienced it is probable thatthe most efficient method of clearing oif the overload is to allocateone or several operators to the available circuits and in this way toarrange that the circuits are used for a succession of calls so long asthe congestion occurs. When a call for a delayed route is received by anordinary line operator she can record the call order, check the callingsubscribing number and transfer the call order to a relay position or aclerical position where the details are recorded and passed to theappropriate delay operator in chronological order.

Fig. 1 shows in schematic form the arrangement of a semi automatic longdistance switchboard in which Sl represents a selector through whichsubscribers obtain access to the recording positions such as CPI and P2.

SG represents a storage group and Fl a finder switch. Each new call isextended to the appropriate or free position by means of a storage groupSG and a finder such as Fl giving access to all positions. The operatorsposition includes two display units DUA and DUB which can be used toindicate the identity of the calling and called numbers. In addition thepositions each contain a key set KS and a code relay set or coderesponder CBS in addition to other apparatus not shown. When theoperator receives the number required she records this information bymeans of KS into CRS which transfers this information on a code basisinto a series of storage units in SG.

SG acts as a register sender transmitting the called subscribersidentity into DUB and to a long distance selector S2 and through thisselector to subsequent switching stages.

The identity of the calling subscriber may be transmitted from automaticline identification equipment to suitable storage units in SG or it maybe obtained verbally by the operator and transmitted through KS and CBSinto SG. On the completion of the connection the ticket machine andcalculator TM becomes associated with the storage group SG by means ofthe finder F2 and the details of the call are finally recorded in knownmanner.

In the event of transfer being needed the finder Fl will be associatedwith the helping position 0P2 and the stored information will be againtransferred into DUA and DUB of OH as before.

The function of SG in sending the numerical information forward will besimilar to a conventional register or code sender. The digital sequencewill be controlled by a series of relays or by a distributor switch andthe same control is used to indicate the progress of digit transmissionto the operator.

Fig. 2 shows the manner in which Figs. 4-10 are related to each otherand to the component parts of Fig. 1. Part of Fig. 3, Fig. 4 and partsof Figs. 7, 9 and 10 constitute the relevant portions of an operatorsposition circuit, OPI, Fig. 1. Different wipers of switch Fl, Fig. l,are shown in Figs. 3, 4, 7, 9 and 10, while Figs. 5 and 6, and parts ofFigs. 3, 7, 9 and 10 constitute the relevant portions of storage circuitSG, Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows the essence of the speaking circuit. The selector Si ispositioned by conventional means to choose a suitable free outlet. The--ve and Il)6 wipers choose a suitable free outlet. The --oe and +vewipers slma, slmb are extended to relay IA. in the storage group SG.

The finder Fl searches for a free operators position as described laterwith reference to Fig. 8.

The operation of the test relay, will complete the speech leads to thewipers flma, flmb in conventional manner and speech current will be fedto the operators head set OHS through relay lD. Suitable condensers Cl,C2 will be placed between lA and lD to maintain independent directcurrent supervision. When the call is extended by the operator theselector S2 will be operated by conventional means to choose a suitableline termination LT! and a relay IE (not shown) will be operated inconventional manner to operate switching contacts lhl, N12 to disconnectrelay IA and extend the connection to LTl which may be a four-wireterminal equipment.

Fig. 4 shows the operators key-set KS containing push keys Kl, K2, K3and K4 arranged to operate via leads KMW KMZ in combination the relays2W 2X ZY 22, which constitute CRS, Fig. 1 and which are arranged toconnect a source of four frequencies W, X, Y and Z' to the wipers ,flmc,flmd by means of contacts 2wl, 232], 2yl and 22L The contacts 2w2, 23:2,2y2 and 222 are arranged. in series to extend a ground via wiper flme torelay SF, Fig. 5-. to indicate the restoration of the keys after eachdigit transmitted, while KR is a changeover key connected via wiper flmfto relay SC, Fig.5.

Fig. 5 illustrates a part of the storage group SG accessible from Fig.4. It contains a voice frequency register of any conventional designincluding four frequency discriminating relays VFW, VFX, VFY, and VFZ.The operation of. a combination of these four relays, cause theoperation of the corresponding relays of a group of four storage relaysSWA, SXA, stile and SZA via leads RVFW RVFZ. The operating circuitcan betraced from battery and potential resistance contacts cfwl, vfml, vjylor vfzhone right-hand winding of one or more of the relays SWA, SXA,SYA, SZA, contacts ssa2, and so! to ground.

The combination of relays operated look through their second left-handwindings over the circuit-battery, relay SDA, windings of relays SWA,SXA, SYA and SZA, contacts swal, steal, syal, seal to ground, and SDAoperates.

Whenthe operator releases the key, relay SF operates over wiper flmecontacts 222, 21 2, 20:2

and 2w2 to ground. Relay SSA operates via sjl and sdal. Contacts ssaZopen the operating circuit for relays SWA, SXA, SYA, and SZA and closethe corresponding circuits for relays SWB, SXB, SYB and SZB.

The second operation of the key set therefore operates a combination ofthese relays which lock to relay SDB. When the relay SF operates onrelease of the second digit key, a circuit is closed for the relay SSBwhich introduces the third storage group (not shown) and so on to thenth and last storage group shown.

As has already been explained the identity of the calling subscriber maycome direct from line identification equipment as described for instancein British Patent 440,348, or from the operator. In the latter case theoperator will depress key KR. Fig. 4, which extends ground over thewiper ,flme to the relay SC, Fig. 5. Contacts scl disable the storagesets SWA, SXA, SYA, SZA; SWB, SXB, SYB, SZB, etc., and close thecorresponding operating sets for the storage sets RWA, RXA, RYA, RZA;RWB, RXB, RYB, RZB, etc., in Fig. 6. The leads RVFX, RVFY, RVFZ, RVFW,RAS extend from Fig. 5 to Fig. 6. The operations for the storage of thecalling line number are identical to those described for the calledline.

Fig. 9 shows a part of the storage group SG Fig. 1 and a portion of anoperators position OPI which includes a group of electromagneticallyoperated digit indicators NI, N2, N3 Nx of well known type each of whichmay be stepped round to indicate one of a number of digits.

The information in the storage groups can be transferred to the numberindicators by a series of impulses in the same manner as thetransmission of impulses from a conventional director or registertranslator. This arrangement is so well known that only the essentialsof the circuit are shown in order to illustratethe setting of theindicators.

Two pairs of interrupter springs IS and MS operating in synchronismenable the impulses sent over the wiper flmg by IS to be counted by theswitch SS. in co-operation with springs MS. The springs IS are normallyshort-circuited by contacts indicated at so which are opened whenimpulsing is to begin. Relay SZ is used to shortcircuit the springs IS.SS is the digit control switch while SC is the sequence control switch.Contacts 1 10 of wiper ssml correspond to 1 10 digital impulses. Thefirst :1: contacts of wipers scml correspond to the digits 1 .1: of thecalled partys number. Each contact 1 :n of semi is connected to thecontacts 1 10 of wiper ssml by a fan of contacts of the correspondingset of storage relays e. g. SWA, SXA, SYA, SZA, said contacts beingarranged in known manner so that whichever digital value is recorded bythe storage relays, a connection will be established from the semi bankcontact to, and only to, the contact of ssml corresponding to saiddigital value. Thus when a train of impulses is sent by IS to NI, witchSS steps in synchronism until the number of impulses corresponding tothe first digit registered has been sent. At this moment relay SZ willoperate via its home contact, the closed storage relay contacts, themarked contact of ssml on which the wiper is standing, to earth.Contacts szi shortcircuit springs IS, while contacts s22 prepare acircuit for switch magnet SCM to operate. Switch SS is homed inconventional manner at the end of each digit. If the second digit isstored, relay SDB, Fig. 5 is operated-and relay SD energises via scm2completing the circuit for SCM which steps switch S0 one step releasingSZ. Succeeding digits are sent out in similar manner, SC being steppedunder control of relay contacts sdcZ, etc.

At the end of each train of impulses, slow release relay NC whichoperates in the impulsing circuit, is released. Its slow-release slaverelay NCC remains operated for sufiicient time to operate relay NIDwhich locks via nldl, switches the impulsing circuit from NI to N2 andswitches its own operating circuit to NZD. Relays N2D will operate inturn at the end of successive impulse trains to connect up indicators N3to receive the corresponding digits.

The transmission of the stored calling line number to the appropriatenumber indicators is carried out in a similar manner to the transmissionof the called number.

The information stored in the storage sets SWA, SXA, SYA, SZA, SWB, SXB,SYB, SZB. etc., can be used for the setting up of the connection in wellknown manner by the use of the digits so registered for the directpositioning of uni-selectors, or for the choice of the seizing signaltransmitted over a long distance connection andfor the transmission ofthe digits in code form as described in my copending U. S. applicationSerial No. 721,892 filed January 14, 1947. The transmission of thedigits can be indicated to the operator and a circuit for this purposeisshown in Fig. 10. It is arranged in conventional manner that for eachdigit transmitted an impulse is passed via the wiper flmh to a switchSDS on the operator's position. As the switch SDS advances it lights aseries of lamps Ll, L2, L3, L4, L5 by the obvious circuit, all lampslighted remaining alight. After five steps the relay SDR is operated andits contacts maintain the circuits for lamps Ll L5 so that furtheroperation of the switch can illuminate additional lamps. e. g. L6 LID.If the digits keyed by the operator are translated into a larger numberof code digits for transmission over the line then the translatingdevice i arranged to suppress one or more of the groups of groundedcontacts on the banks associated with wiper csmZ. If on the other handthe translation reduces the number of digits additional groundedcontacts would be introduced in the same'way. The operation of the lampsLi, L2, L3 etc., indicate to the operator how the transmission of thenumber called is proceeding.

Fig. 7 illustrates the arrangements for preparing the storage group fortransfer from one operator to another. LKA, LKB, LKC etc., represent anumber of language keys any one of which may be operated to seek theassistance of some other operator on the same or adjacent switchboard.When used for language dii'zficulty each key can be used to represent adiiierent language. The operation of any one of these keys to the leftor offering direction causes the operation of relay LTR. in the storagegroup over wiper ,flmj. The operation of the relay LTR disables theoperating windings of the called number storage relay groups Fig. 5 SWA,SXA, SYA, SZA etc., at Ztr2 and of the calling number storage relaygroups Fig. 6 RWA, RXA, RYA, RZA etc., at Zt1'3 and at Ztrl Fig. 7prepares the circuit for the language storage group LWA, LXA, LYA, LZAetc., via RVFW .RVFZ.

These relays are operated from the language keys LKA, LKB, LKCetc., byco-operation with positions for the language required. There would ofcourse be such a multiple for each language.

.-It is not essential that each operator has an appearance for eachmultiple as she is enabled to accept one call requiring languageassistance by the operation of a key, particular to such language. Therelays LWA, LXA, LY-A, LZA lock in conjunction with the relay LDA.Contacts ldal indicate to the transfer control circuit Fig. 8 that thiscircuit Fig. 7 has a call to transfer and contacts Zda2 indicate to acommon start circuit Fig. 8 that there is a language transfer imminent.

It will of course be understood that additional storage groups such asLWA, LXA, LYA, L'ZA maybe provided if more than possibilities arerequired. Although the description refers to transfer for languagedim'culty it will be understood that a corresponding. operation may becarried out for other purposes such as delay working or concentration ofcertain types of traflic.

.Fig. 8 illustrates part of the circuit of SG, Fig. l and the languagecontrol transfer link which comprises the finder LCFwhich has access tothe storage groups SG and the finder LMF which has access to theoperators" positions. When an application for transfer is received theoperation of the relay LDA Fig. '7, indicates this fact "in associatedstorage group SG. Contacts lda2 in Fig. 8 extend this condition to thestart relay LCST which starts the finder LCF running in search for thestorage group marked by 'a battery potential on the contact of testwiper Zcfm3 provided by the contact Idol. The relay LCT finds thiscondition and opens the stepping circuit of magnet LCFM, and closes anobvious circuit for the relief relay LCTFI.

.Any' operator accepting a language transfer request operatestherelevant one of the language keys LKA, LKB, LK'C, etc., but in thereverse direction to when offering a call, that is, to the right oraccept direction.

A ground through any of these keys, Fig. 7.31s extended through"terminal M4 and the operated contacts o'f'lcttl to LMST, and thefinder'switch LMF steps under control or the test relay LMT. The testcircuit is completed from the key con-itact MIA, MIB or MIC, through thewiper lmjm4 the test device LMT, lmttz, lcttt, the mark wiper tcfmfl,the contact Ztc2, a combination of the relaycontacts LWA, LXA, LYA andLZA particular to the language involved to one of the marking terminalsTIA H. Each language. can be given a different marking characteristic bya phase diiierent to an A. C. supply. a different voltage potential, ora diilerent A. C. fre- 'quency, etc.

The essential control is provided by the fact that the storage groupindicates the-language involved, this language is indicated to anoperator by a lamp. and she accepts the call by the operation of a keycharacteristic of the same language.

It will be assumed that multi-potential marking'is used, so thatcontacts MIA, MIB, MIC, .Fig. 7 etc., will have different. potentialsapplied theretogwhile terminals TIA 8,".Wil1

.be-connaatedto the sameset of potentials, the

home position and stops.

same potential being connected to the key contact and the Tl contactcharacteristic of the same language. The test device IMT will now be acircuit such as that described in U. S. Pat ent No. 2,354,682 issuedAug. 1, 1944. When wiper Imfmd makes connection with the key contacthaving the same potential as the connected Tl terminal than the testdevice will operate.

In this condition, both operators can listen in to the connection and ifthe operator decides to transfer the call to the second operator sheoperates a general transfer key L'IK, Fig. '7, which operates the relayLTC, Fig. 8 via the wiper fl'mk. The finder Fl new advances fromthefirst operators position to the second, the magnet FSM being operatedas described below. The mark ing conditions are transferred from alanguage basis to one which is indivdual to the storage group.

'Each' storage group will have two marking terminals MZA, MZB, Fig. 8connected to the same potential; the potentials will of course differfor each storage group, and the storage group potentials will differfrom the language potentials. When switch Fl finds the acceptingoperator s position, the characteristic marking is extended from M2Athrough relay FTT, ZtcZ, wiper lcfm l, Zmtt2, wiper ZmfmS via theaccepting operators position and her contact in the bank of wiper ,lmlto the marking terminal MZB. Relay FTT operates in the test circuit, thestepping ceases. and the relay DR is operated.

It has been assumed previously that switch Fl has been stepped to a freeoperators position. The operation of the switch will now be describedwith particular relation to its release of the operators position whenthe connection has been satisfactorily set up. The finder is initiallyoperated to look for a free operators position by earth from selector Siwhich operates slow-release relay B, Fig. 8. Earth via on2, bl, tlcauses magnet FSM to step switch Fl by means of its interrupter springs.A free operators position is indicated by battery via a key KBR (Fig. 8)on the corresponding contact of wiper flmm. When a free position isfound relay T operates via its high and low resistance windings H, L 'inseries and holds via its low resistance winding L only to earth on t2,the short-circuiting of winding H altering the potential on the flmmcontact from the free to the busy condition.

The operation of contacts ti opens the finder stepping circuit. Earthvia onZ, bl, tl operates relay ON which looks via its quick actingcontacts cm: to earth from Si, puts a second earth on the L winding ofrelay T at cal and prepares a homing circuit for finder Fl at 0112.

When the operator has set up the connection and is satisfied that it isproceeding satisfactorily, she temporarily releases key KBR opening theci'icuit of relay T which releases. Earth via onl still short-circuitswinding H of relay T after the relay has released thus preventing '1operating during homing. I

Magnet FSM is now connected via its interrupter spring ti, bl, on? tothe multipled homing bank ,flmn of finder Fl which runs toits Relays B,O-N- remain operateduntil selector SI releases and removes the earthoperating relay B.

Relay DR, Fig. 8, which operates if finder Fl of a storage grouptransfers from one operators position to another as described alcove,acts to cause the indicators of the second operators posh- -tion todisplay particulars'pf the connection...

steam Thus referring to Fig. 9 contacts an complete a circuit frommagnet SCM and its interrupter springs to wiper scm3 and its homingmultiple.

Switch SC steps to its home position in which relay DRA energises viachange-over contacts dral, closed contacts dr2, wiper ssml; locks viadral operated; disconnects the homing earth from the homing multiple ofscm3; and via dra3 operates the SA relay (not shown) whose conventionalfunction as previously stated is to remove a normally operativeshort-circuit on impulse springs IS and start impulsing to theindicators N 1, N2, etc., under control of switches SS, SC.

In this way the called number is set up on the second operator'sindicaton. In the same way the calling partys number is set up onthe.1nd1- cators. H

Similarly the progress of .the. connection can be indicated to thesecond operator. Digit sending devices such as register controllersusually comprise a sequence device which changes conditions as eachdigit is sent e. g. a switch wh1ch takes one step for each digit. Itwould be conventional practice to have a second similar slave switchwith contacts of a bank straight mult1pled to contacts of a bank of thesequence switch and to arrange that on operation of relay DR the slaveswitch would step to the position already reached by the sequenceswitch, an impulse being sent via wiper flmh Fig. 10 to switch magnetSDSM for each step of the slave switch to light a corresponding numberof lamps. Further movement of the sequence switch, or the slave switch,as further digits if any are transmitted would cause further impulses tobe sent.

What is claimed is:

l. Telecommunication exchange apparatus for completing a connectionbetween a calling line and a called line, and comprising in combmation,switchboard equipment having a plurality of operators positions, adigital designat on register connectable in common to said posit ons, acode responder for each position, manually operable means at eachposition effective to operate said code responder in accordance with adigital designation, means to cause said coderesponder to control thestoring of successive digital designations in said register, othermanually operable means at each position for operating said coderesponder and simultaneously disabling said d g1- tal designationregister, additional registering means in the register, means forselectively operating said additional registering -means in accordancewith the operation of said code responder in response to theoperation.

2. Telecommunication exchange apparatus, according to claim 1, in whichthe operation of the responder by the other manually operated meanscharacterizes the language of the call and said indicator at eachposition comprises a series of difierent colored indicators eachrepresenting a particular call language.

3. Telecommunication exchange apparatus, according to claim 1, in whichthe first-mentioned manually operable means comprises a set of digitalcode keys for controlling said register, said other manually operablemeans comprises an additional key set with each key having two effectivepositions, circuit connections between the second key set and saidresponder efiective in one setting of a key for selectively setting saidresponder, circuit connections between said second key set and saidregister effective in the same setting of a key to cause the additionalregistering means in said register to be set by said responder, so as tooffer the supervision of the call to another'position,and meanseffective in another setting of a key to accept supervision from anotherposition and to complete a connection to said other position.

4. Telecommunication exchange apparatus, according to claim 1, in whichthe first-mentioned manually operable means includes a series of digitalkeys for controlling said register, the other manually operable meanscomprises a series of language keys one for each call language andcircuit connections between said language keys and the responder, saidkeys being selectively operable to set said responder in accordancewitha predetermined code.

5 Telecommunication exchange apparatus for completing a connectionbetween a calling and a called line comprising in combination,switchboard equipment having a plurality of operators positions, adigital storage arrangement connectable in common to said positions andhaving means to store the calling line and called line digitaldesignations transmitted from an operators position to which saidstorage arrangement has been connected, means to extend an incoming callto a free operators position, digital des'ig-' nation indicators at eachposition, each of said positions having keys one for each languagecharacteristic of a call, each key having two settings, means responsiveto one setting of a key for preparing the transfer of a call from saidoperators position to any other operators position, means responsive tothe other setting of said key for controlling the acceptance of thetransfer of the call from another operators position, and circuitconnections between said keys and said storage circuit and between saidstorage circuit and said digital designation indicators and" efiectivewhen the key is operated to an accept position for automatically settingthe digital indicator at the particular operators position acceptingsaid transfer.

6. Telecommunication exchange apparatus for completing a connectionbetween a calling line and a called line comprising in combination,switchboard equipment having a plurality of operators positions, meansfor extending an incoming call to a free operators position for normalsupervision at said position, each position having indicator means to beselectively operated to indicate a particular predeterminedcharacteristic of a call to be established between said lines, digitalregister means connectable in common to said positions, a code responderfor each position, manually operable means at each position for variablysetting said responder to control the setting of said register andthereby automatically control the extension of the connection towardsthe called line if the call is to be completed in the normal manner,other manually operable meansat each position to be used when the callis not to be completed in the normal manner for' operating saidresponder in accordance with a code representing said callcharacteristic, and means controlled by said other manually operablemeans for selectively operating said indicator means at said otherpositions to prepare for the transfer of the supervision of the call toany other position, said other manually operable means also includingmeans to control the acceptance of a transfer from another position.

7. Telecommunication exchange apparatus, according to claim 6, in whichthe other manually operable means is selectively operable to control theacceptance of a call from another operstuns-posit on, sa d apparatus. fr her co r sing an automatic finder switch for selectively con; nectingthe digital register to the operators posie. tions, means responsive toan incoming call to cause said finder switch to connect said digitalregister to a free operators position, and a double automatic switchlink for automatically associate ing said register with anotheroperators position at which said other manually operable means isoperated to its call-accept position.

8, Telecommunication exchange apparatus, according to claim 7, in whichcircuit connections are provided for automatically operating the finderswitch to hunt for the other operator's PO1- sition, and means effectivewhen said other operators position has been found and controlled fromthe free operators position for transferring SL1,- p rvis en oi the callto d. other o ator posi iqnr 9. Telecommunication exchange apparatus forcompleting a connection between a calling line and a called linecomprising in combination, switchboard equipment having a- :plurality ofop? craters. p s i ns each f h h i ranged w n. free to receive directlyan incoming call and is also arranged to receive an incoming call afteraccepting transference from another operators position, a digitalregister for controlling the automatic extension of the connection, anautomatic finder switch responsive to the incoming call to associatesaid register with the first free operators position, each of saidpositions having means to indicate the calling line designation and thecalled line designation, circuit connections effective upon associationof said register with said fre per s pos t n .r r pr r ng the operationof said indicating means thereat, each position h i a set f ma u p r l kys an a c rr p nd ng s of al h r cte is e in iea ers a o pon e nnec edto s d keys and ar ang to e ri y t y S k either in accordance withdigital designations or in accordance'with a code representing a callcharacteristic, means controlled by said responder means effective whensaid responder is being operated in accordance with said code to preventsaid responder changing the digital setting in said register, eachoperators position also having a Set o l m s e ch r e en ing a difie eutc ll a ac ristic i r exampl a anguag hemo eris e, e reui c nn io sective hen th pera r at sa fi s r e i s n p es o e f ai key an includ ngthe es nder at said first ree posit on o sel t y li h ing a con espnding o of sai la ps at th th r one: ors pesitien l aid one key ha ng mens som et d to it to pro u e a a tr nsf r aceept condition, automaticswitch means responsive to said transfereaccept condition at any one oisaid t e op a ors p ion or ssociat n id ter h i h nd m an o r ll d y t esaid first iree operators position for causing the registered digitalinformation to be transferred to the accepting operators position.

10. Telecommunication exchange apparatus, according to claim 9, in whichthe automatic switch comprises n. automa ic switch link eon ist ne of aair r fin ers one. Qi wh ch hunt r the a ng op rat rs posit on and the te i which h nts io the reg st r.

11-. e co mun c ti n excha e app comprising, in mbin o a plura ity f prat rs position a reg ster, auto at c swi h m ans r on ve o an comingcall r i y aid reg ter to associ e s id reg s er with h first free opators position, key means at each position or cont ol in s id reg st r wn sa d register is associated with said position, a code responderconnected to and controlled by said key means, a lu ality of. language iator amp at each po iti m ns. for c n c g e code res onder to th lampsat h. position, means including the code responder for selectivelycontrolling said lamps, and means effective when the. code re ponder atsaid free ope a o s position .being set in accordance with a languagetie to disable said register.

12, in a telecommunication exchange system of the described, a firstoperators position, a second operators position, a digital register forcontrolling the automatic extension of a connection, a finder switch,means responsive to an incoming call received by said register foroperating said finder switch to associate said register with the firstoperators position, a call-transferaccept key means at said positions,means at each position controlled by said key means for producing avisual indication representing a par.- ticular call characteristic, forexample, language, and automatic switch means controlled jointly by theoperation of a call-transfer key means at the first position and acall-transfereaccept key means at the second position to associate saidregister with said second position, the last-mentioned means includingmeans to cause said finder switch to hunt for the said second positionand to disassociate said first position from the resister.

13. A telecommunication exchange system, according to claim 12, in whichthe last-mentioned automatic switch means includes a double finderswitch link, one finder hunting for the second operators position andthe other finder hunting for the said register.

ES'MOND PHILIP GOODWIN WRIGHT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

LTED STATES A'I

